biblical studies: ethics

What is ethics concerned with?

Ethics is concerned with the quality of decision making, and is a tool which is concerned with good and bad decisions

What are the four main things which guide a person’s ethical decision making?

• Values

• Principles

• Beliefs

• Norms

What is another term for results based ethics?

Consequentialism

What is another term for rules based ethics?

Deontology

What is consequentialism?

An ethical theory that judges whether something is right or not by what its consequences are

What is deontology?

An ethical theory that says actions are good or bad according to a clear set of rules

What is the divine command theory?

The ethics and morals established by God, who rules directly or through a ruler given divine authority as God’s agent on Earth (eg. Jesus)

What is virtues ethics or values?

Virtue ethics states that there are certain ideals, such as excellence or dedication to the common good, toward which we should strive and allow full development of humanity

What is rights-based ethics?

Rights-based ethics focus on fundamental human rights and the balance between individual freedoms and societal obligations

What is ethical reductionism?

Ethical reductionism is the view that things are what they are. Reductionists hold moral facts that are identical to facts or properties that can be expressed using vocabulary that has no relation to morality

What is moral imagination?

Moral imagination is the capacity to recognise turning points and possibilities in order to venture down unknown paths and create what does not yet exist

What does Immanuel Kant’s theory state?

We are entitled to a universal law, which is a set of duties which are rational and don’t allow for exceptions

Immanuel Kant believed it was important to do what’s right simply because it’s right, not based on the _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Outcomes

Why does deontology say we must keep our promises?

As every person carries dignity

Where does the idea of rights and obligations come from?

It comes from personhood as everyone has dignity and it should be measured in equal measures

What are two limitations of deontology?

• People always have to tell the truth due to its inflexibility

• There is a lack of space for middle ground

Why is deontology opposed to conseqeuntialism?

Deontology believes the consequences of our actions have no ethical relevance due to the emphasis to act in accordance with our duties, whilst consequentialism believes the results should determine a person’s actions

What are two examples of the types of consequentialism?

• Utilitarianism

• Hedonism

What is utilitarianism?

Utilitarianism judges consequences by a ‘greatest good for the greatest number’ standard

What is hedonism?

Hedonism says something is good if the consequence produces pleasure and avoids pain

Why is consequentialism criticised?

As no kne knows the correct results of something ahead of its time and can lead to decisions that are unpleasant even if the consequences are arguably good

Which ethical theory states ‘the end justifies the means’?

Consequentialism

What are three limitations of consequentialism?

• It can be hard to measure different benefits to decide which is morally preferable

• It can contradict itself as an event can be good and bad at the same time

• It uses the ‘end justify the means’ logic which doesn’t justify harming some people to benefit others

What is the main motto in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)?

“All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and in rights” and was adopted by the UN

On what basis are we given human rights?

Simply because we are a human being and everyone benefits from them from birth without exception of distinction

True or false: Rights do not depend on each other

False, they are interdependent on each other

What are three strengths of the UDHR?

• Gives people their basic rights including the right to be free from torture

• Is a tool to address and advocate for injustice

• Brings equity and in some cases equality for humans

What are three limitations of the UDHR?

• The declaration is very broad and can be interpreted in different ways by everyone

• If morality is seen as the customs of a particular society, the declaration will fail in its centreal purpose to create a common understanding of human rights

• There is no concrete framework for how to achieve the goals addressed in the UDHR, but more of a guideline

How has the Bible shaped our ideas of human rights?

The Bible has established that every person has inherent dignity and worth because they are created in the image of God, and provide equality and rights

What are three similarities between the Biblical perspective of human rights and UDHR?

• Both emphasise the importance of human rights and dignity

• Don’t encourage discrimination or poor treatment

• Equality and unity is very important

What are three differences between the Biblical perspective of rights and UDHR?

• UDHR says it’s important to treat people well as it is the right thing to do, whilst the Bible says this as it is God’s command as everyone was created in his image

• Jesus has set an example of how to give basic rights, whilst the UDHR leaves it to the individual

• The UDHR is more of a guide to show basic human rights, not concrete framework as opposed to the Bible with everyone having to follow God’s command

How did the Ancient Greeks define “good actions”?

Actions of excellent character. They believed that what matters were actions that displayed virtues like courage, loyalty or wisdom

Which ethical theory states that our habits affect our ability to lie or tell the truth and make good or bad decisions?

Virtue ethics/values

What does the ‘fake it till you make it’ concept mean?

To act like we are already doing things that align with the excellent character, then eventually the gap between who we are and who we want to be will disappear to become the best version of ourselves

What does ‘the golden mean’ mean?

This means when making a choice, think of the two most extreme choices you can take and do the middle course of action

How does the Biblical perspective of values differ with virtue ethics?

The Bible says to cultivate Christlike character through the virtues of faith, hope and love which direct to one God. Virtue ethics states to show good values to become the best version of ourselves as we want to grow

What are the five aspects of a Christian approach?

• Created order

• Jesus-shaped community

• New future

• God’s character

• Commands for love

What are three main points in ‘created order’?

• God’s created order is a guide for how things should work and for making good decisions

• It tells us everythinf has a purpose and is valuable, including people and nature

• By following the order God intended for and protecting it, we can make ethical decisions that make the world a better place

What are three main points in ‘Jesus-shaped community’?

• A community that follows Jesus’ example of servanthood and humility sets an ethical framework for relationships

• It focuses on being humble, putting others needs first, being kind and creating a place to be loved and cared for

• Creates a big family where everyone looks out for each other and builds ethical and loving relationships

What are three main points in ‘new future’?

• A new future with the promise of heaven with Jesus as king and God’s judgement allows us to make wise decisions

• Helps us persevere through tough times with the knowledge that the suffering will be over one day

• The idea of heaven and judgement helps us to stay on the right path and make ethical choices

What are three main points in ‘God’s character’?

• God’s character sets an ultimate example for how to make wise decisions in our lives

• It is known as the gold standard of good character

• God represents the highest moral standard and allows us to strive for the best version of ourselves to help us live an ethically sound life

What are three main points in ‘commands for love’?

• Jesus’ commands for love allows for a better community through forgiving, understanding and loving

• This ethical framework allows us to make smart decisions and show respect for others

• Following Jesus’ commands for love helps us be on a path to make wise and compassionate decisions